IDEAS
FOR/CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE NEW VIDEO’S SOUNDTRACK/SCRIPT ETC.
Note: See Mike Merry’s full description of the film contents below the latest entries
ON THE 1953/4 RLS FILM/DVD AT THE
The school song and end-of-term
hymn were sung far better for the film shot than I had expected and with great
enthusiasm....even by the Head...congrats to David S. The picture quality of
the improved film looks great, and is far superior to the original. Anyone got
any ideas about the schedule for sale? (Terry Turner)
I found the film as good as
Vince has said, and think that this can be really something. The film was
running continuously, but few seemed to have seen it before Assembly began
(after 3 hours at
I met Stan Smith, who told me Francis Holmes broke his hip recently, but is surely able and interested in being interviewed for the new film, so Vince will surely be able to bring him back from the past for us all! Vince was seen beavering away with camera and video and I think the results can be very interesting... not least the filming of all the OBs during Assembly.
Pete Benson told us that he had
done all the continuity work on the original (with Brian Wren) on the entire
film... so he could be a useful advisor too, I guess. He confirmed that there
had been one original and one copy (which he had worn out showing to boys). (Robert
Priddy)
After our initial success in
transferring the film to digital videotape, it all went downhill for a number
of reasons. Michael Large suggested to me that we should let the contributors
have a copy of the silent video. I agreed with this, and then found that
we have a problem handling large file sizes quickly. This does not pose a
problem for the final release, but prevented me from producing a full length
version without breaks unless I spent many hours. I then tried to produce a DVD
version, but the results were poor. Although the quality was excellent at
the beginning (I even managed to put a menu together!) the motion became
jerkier and jerkier as the timeline progressed. (We have new DVD authoring
software now, and this may solve it). Michael did his best to get me to produce
something, but I will not let anything go if I am not 100% happy. Please
don't blame him.
Following a flurry of on-list discussions about the direction the film was
taking, some people suggested that the subject matter was of no interest, and
had no place there. Therefore I ceased to post anything further. I
have only posted this to the list because at least three HMs
have shown an interest.
Additionally, in March, we were finally able to start buying a house, following
a satisfactory conclusion to my divorce, and house hunting/mortgage arranging
have taken up a considerable slice of my spare time. I am sure that it is
a much more complicated process than it was 20 years ago! I am hoping to
be able to return to normality soon. During this time, I have had private
correspondence with one or two HMs and a meeting to
review the film. Another meeting is planned in a couple of week's time.
As someone guessed, the finished article will not be ready in time for the
reunion. However, we have spoken to Ken Catton
and we will be showing the silent version on a continuous loop somewhere in the
school (I'm not being cagey - the location has not yet been decided!). This is
subject to final arrangements being made and I am
waiting for a response. When I get it, I am going to the school to see
Mark Morral and sort out the finer points.
We also have a plan to video the reunion assembly with the singing of the School Song
preceded by a short plug for the final version from DES.
I will continue to try to produce a silent VHS version, when I get some time,
as the contributors *do* deserve to see what they paid for, and I apologise
again. When I succeed, I will let MPL know, and we will sort out
distribution. If you have any more questions, please ask.
Looking forward to meeting many of you at the reunion, and hoping that we have
enough sense to go on somewhere for a (quiet?) drink after the school closes at
9. After all, we only get this chance every two years. (Vince Leatt)
Robert asks about a showing of the film. Good question. My last contribution was a preliminary outline for a script. Being somewhat distanced from the center of the action, I have not been involved in any further work. I recall there were members who promised to examine the item and provide their solutions/opinions. Unfortunately only a couple ever turned up. If anything else is required I will be happy to revise what I did originally and incorporate the ideas of others where possible. The problems with coming up with a finished product are:
a) The sound recording has to be lined up with the film itself
b) You need a "voice". Male.
c) There will probably be a necessity for background music.
These problems are not out-of-this-world and with the talent in this group could be resolved quickly. (Mike Merry)
SCRIPT AND COMMENTARY
Now into my assignment in
I think the film should open with an introduction to the films, as we discussed
and the bike ride into the school and monochrome. This should be
accompanied by a boy choir (thus my questions about a minister of the church)
singing the school song. Oxford Spires stuff. Not all of it,
perhaps just the first few lines. Into the film.
The narration should not state the obvious nor compare with today. Names not to be mentioned. Fun but
not corny. The essence of the narration will be to add to the
story. Eg notice the bicycle sheds, the CCF
used Lee Enfield Mk 4s, Bob was used to cut grass and
so on. Any long hiatus could involve quiet use of the boy’s rendition of the
song. Play the film as is, including the daft bits (they are colour) except the
transport club scene which is clearly out of sequence. The
film to end up with riding from the school and passing in to full colour again. This
time school song sung to the old boy’s rendition to take place in July.
This would keep the film as is, (wanted by some) yet put it into context.
The new film would be introduced at the same place, this time driving in.
The new film would self narrate. No need for a formal ending. After
the film, we could include Master interviews. These could be used in
place of some of the narration in the film. This could be explained in
the introduction. If the film is broken up to show the fireside chats,
the purists will be upset and the new boys will suggest that they would have
done it differently. Of course any new entrant who might (just might) see
it would wonder what it was all about. Dunno.
You will have read that it will not be ready by July. I think it would be
hard to do in any case. If there are 35 scenes, I doubt if you could
shoot more than two at a go. Do you have 18 days to spare? I might.
I think we should not spoil the ship far a ha’p’orth
of tar. I would be happy to promote it at the reunion in July for future
sales. OK, I am happy to write the script, introduce and narrate. Any views? I would appreciate an update on discussions
if I am to give more thought. You could post this message if you wanted
(David Silverside)
I have included Mike Merry’s ‘Walk around the School in 1952’ at the bottom here, for it has some great lines/ideas for the film script, I think! (Note: since then, MJM has come up with a much more ordered and excellent version for use in the commentary):
(
Below are a few words which follow the general outline of The Film as it plays. One or two of you might find it of some help when the final decision is made as to how the commentator will describe the events that it depicts.
THE FILM
The film which you are about to see depicts events which
occurred almost fifty years ago. In those days we, the boys you will see on the
screen, varied in age from eleven to seventeen years. Those of you who remember
your maths (as taught by Ron and Stan Smith, Sam Peazy
and others) will realize that today those same "boys" are anywhere
between fifty six and sixty five years old.
It's amazing that this film has survived and more than that, that it has been
restored in a manner which allows us to see how we looked in those days past.
Photographs are fine but cannot show more than a single dimension, whereby a
film shows movement, facial expressions and projects a feeling of involvement
in the events taking place. Events in which many of us were
participants, willing or unwilling.
How young some of the Masters appear in this epic! These
days they invoke none of the apprehension that we felt back then. Of course
not, for we are far older than they were when shown here. This mixture of men
came from the armed forces, from teachers training colleges and from other
schools. There were those that had already served more than two decades at RLS
and who were part of its history. There were others that did not teach but who
ensured the school went about its daily business with a minimum amount of
problems. These "others" performed just as important tasks, for
without lines on the football pitches and mowed greens for the cricket games,
Royal Liberty would have been a mere scholastic learning experience. To many of us though, our school was far more than that.
Thanks to the film we can relive the memories of those bleak days in the early
and mid-fifties. You might say `Why would we want to remember those days, it
wasn't much fun and there wasn't much money about." True. However, life is
not made up of only pleasant things and if this film awakens memories of some
of the more difficult and trying events that took place, perhaps we should
remember that it was the whole panorama of situations that shaped our
characters and allowed us to confront, and in many cases overcome, similar
occurrences that we came face to face with later in our lives.
Setting the scene for what we are about to see we should consider what
constituted education in those days. Royal Liberty was a Grammar school. Back
in those days that phrase was a very important part of everyone's lives. Being
a Grammar school pupil meant that you were amongst the elite, that percentage
that had passed the eleven plus examination and had been deemed worthy of
attending one of the nation’s premier schools. It implied that you would go on
to great things later in life. Perhaps you might be a teacher yourself or enter
a bank. You might be fortunate enough to study law or become a clergyman.
Whatever lay ahead, the Grammar school pupil was deemed to have the best shot
at it.
We had a wonderful location for an institute of learning. Hare Hall was an old country
house and the square brick addition that housed the majority of the school's
classrooms, could not detract from its classic beauty when seen from across the
playing fields. It boasted a swimming pool, albeit unheated, sports facilities,
a gymnasium and woodworking shop and of course, the stable where Old Bob, the
school horse lived. We were unique, who else could boast of a horse? There was
a tennis court and a pretty wood which went by the name of High Trees that
surrounded a lake, and sheltered young smokers. There was also a jealously
guarded bird sanctuary adjacent to the school. All in all, it was an idealistic
setting for youngsters to study in, especially during the warm lazy days of
spring and summer.
There we are then, Royal Liberty back in the early nineteen fifties. But what
about the boys who attended the school, for it was strictly a one sex
institution. Drawn from primary schools in an area bordered by
The boys, and the Masters for that matter, arrived at RLS via diversified means
of transportation. Some, who lived close by would, as the saying went, use
Shank's Pony. Others would cycle if they lived not to far away. This method
saved boot leather and made the cyclist independent of the bus and train
strikes that would inevitably occur once or twice during the school year. The
bus was a popular method of getting back and forth and there were many assorted
numbers that pulled up at the gates on Upper Brentwood Road or for the not so
fortunate, the London Road which necessitated a walk down Severn or Castellan
Avenues and a long trek between the football pitches and past the horse chestnut
trees to the main building. Others came into Gidea
Park Station by train and usually chose the alley that paralleled the tracks
and emerged by the railway bridge on the
Back fifty odd years ago it was compulsory to wear a school uniform. A cap and
tie were the minimums but there was a certain "Nelson" attitude
directed at those poorer pupils who could not afford a blazer and who instead,
proclaimed their attachment to the school by having a badge sewn on an odd-colored sports coat. The younger students still wore short
grey trousers and long grey socks pulled up to the knees. There were occasional
cap and tie checks made by the Prefects, boys from the sixth form whom the
headmaster had deemed worthy of responsibility, and many of the keener types
would enthusiastically enforce the uniform rules.
The first event of any school day was Assembly. Each form would troop into the
Hall and stand in their pre-arranged places. The balcony with the organ was
another gathering spot and provided the opportunity for furtively flicking
small pebbles or sweet papers onto the heads of those gathered below. Sooner or
later the Head Boy would enter, followed by the Prefects. They would take their
places against the walls around the hall and commence to enforce the rule of
silence. The Masters, gowns swishing round their calves, would then arrive and
finally, George Henry Reginald Newth, the Headmaster,
would sweep into the hall, take his place at the lecturn
and gaze maliciously at the silent throng in front of him. He would read a
passage from the bible and announce a hymn. Depending on the choice, the
result was either a watery squeaking or a roaring response from the throats of
the congregation. If there were no important notices to be read, the headmaster
would then retire, masters following him.
The Head Boy would then commence to read the usual messages. "Smith to see
Grubb outside the Headmasters study after assembly." and "Jones to
see Iverson outside the Prefects room immediately after the dinner bell."
and other sundry items such as "The Model Railway Club will meet this
evening in room seven at four thirty" or "The Seventh Romford Scouts
will be selling raffle tickets at the morning milk break. Tickets are sixpence
each and the prize is a gift certificate to Craddocks
in Romford". The Head Boy would then dismiss the throng and the boys would
make their way to their first class of the day.
The Headmaster was a law unto himself. He walked without looking down and
chairs and tables would move mysteriously out of his way, puddles dry up and
potholes suddenly become filled. Little boys avoided him like the plague. His
command post was the Headmasters Study at the top of the spiral staircase in
old Hare Hall adjacent to the school office. Hare Hall was a bright, airy
structure in the warmer months but in winter, both the study and the office
burned large coal fires to offset the cold. Bert Peade,
the caretaker or custodian was in charge of the coal and coke which was used to
fuel the school furnaces and hence heat the water which flowed through the
miles of pipes to the radiators.
We had compulsory classes in woodwork, where we paid the price for careless
handling of tools in blood. It was not recognized that certain people have no
aptitude whatsoever for manual work, it was on the timetable so we attended,
and in many cases, maimed ourselves, although not very seriously I am glad to
record. In the laboratories we mixed various chemicals in tubes and heated them
on Bunsen burners, creating awful smells and clouds of smoke in the process. We
learned geography and history, biology and mathematics and walked carefully
across the splintered floor of Stan Smith's Room One with its ancient stand-up
desk. At pre-arranged intervals we faithfully obeyed the bell as rung by
Bert Peade.
The masters would teach and at the bell, retire to the Staff Room, a smoky den
adjacent to the Library. It was a brave pupil who would seek to speak to a
Master when he was in this environment. The pupils were allowed a break during
morning and free milk, donated by a benevolent government through the local
municipality, was distributed. Buns were on sale for the affluent amongst us to
purchase. Tradition ran strong at RLS. The spiral staircase was hung with
photographs of long past football and cricket XI's. Sports were encouraged and
there were no excuses for not trying.
Old Bob would be seen at various times during the day, pulling the mower or the
roller or perhaps with his cart hitched up and hauling the cut grass to the
compost heap. There was a magnificent gymnasium with a floor that shone as if a
regiment of cleaners had given their all to provide the mirrored surface. Woe
betides the boy that entered the gymnasium in anything but plimsolls. Brig
Schofield, the Gym Master would warm the miscreants’ trousers for offences such
as these.
School dinners were cooked on the premises and made available to boys was provided
with meat from some animal or fowl, mashed potatoes and an unrecognizable
vegetable. Then came the highlight of the meal, the
dessert. If one were lucky, meringues perhaps. However, the usual fare was a
piece of pudding with treacle on top or perhaps rice pudding. Dinner, as it was
called, was a strictly controlled event with Prefects directing table after
table to the serving areas and hurling warnings and threats to any unruly
elements in the Hall.
Any accident at RLS necessitated a trip to the Staff Room. There amongst smoke
and ash, a cut finger could be bandaged or an aspirin dispensed. Dramatics were
a popular event at the school and there were any number of opportunities to
participate. Some acted, some attended the stage and some printed the tickets.
There were several events during the year, the Shakespeare play, the house
dramatic competition and the sixth form offering, to mention a few. The school
boasted a Combined Cadet Force and the spectacle of the Tuesday afternoon
parade was not an event to be missed. Tug
Cricket in the summer and for the sixth form, the grass tennis court in front
of Old Bob's stable. The swimming pool was either loved or hated. Feelings ran
high in regard to this facility that the school offered. We were perhaps,
somewhat fortunate to have an outdoor pool, however, the piteous cries of the
first users in April were enough to bring tears to the most hardened listener.
When cricket finished, football would start and the sight of mothers tearing
out their hair after opening satchels containing muddy boots and uniforms was a
common occurrence during the winter months. In addition to sports there were
various societies and other after-hours past times offered. Scouting was always
popular and the school was home to two troops.
So there we have it. Royal
How can we tell youngsters of today what our life was like back then? It won't
be easy that's for sure but we have to try, after all, its a part of history
and as such, has no little importance. Our task will be much simplified thank
goodness, now that a tool such as this wonderfully restored film exists. For
that we should give thanks. (Mike Merry)
I think Vince's suggestion of a video addition showing the school as it is today a very good one, (with or without pupils - perhaps a bit of each?). I would like to suggest that that excellent essay of Mike Merry where he takes one around the school ca. 1953 could be used as a nostalgia text to go with round-the-school footage. (This would be great for us old-timers, at least.) Of course, some bits with Spook and Fred would be excellent, but rather difficult to organise, I imagine.
Also, what about some footage with those who are probably easily available, eg. Vince, MPL, Andy (?), DGM, David Silverside? It would certainly add to the interest of many of us on the List! They could each suggest their own scripts! Of course, the 2002 reunion will be a field day for video-making, I should think... an opportunity to catch many a person and situation.
That could be added later, perhaps... if the means are not too difficult to find. DVD burners are getting to be cheaper all the time, too.
As to making material that is up-to-date for pupils and parents of the later years - and also those in the present, this is surely a job to be done in cooperation with contemporary masters? (Robert Priddy)
(Ed. this is Vince Leatt’s input to David Silverside’s suggestions)
I envisage a new soundtrack being laid over the old film, but I see no reason why the new part should not follow on seamlessly. That is to say, the first part will be almost 'as is', followed by a completely new part.
David Silverside wrote about the film plans: the first concrete offer since the telecine transfer.
"My first posting was about the suitability of my
I don't see a problem with this. Most of us have an accent from somewhere. This film has to be natural.
"but there seems to be nobody
else willing to put their head above > the parapet. You may also count me in
for any of the non-technical work, I will gladly travel over to
I'll take you upon that!
"I was under the impression that we were to augment the original film and make another one of today's establishment. If not, forget the bit about the new film later on."
Yes. I envisage a new soundtrack being laid over the old film, but I see no reason why the new part should not follow on seamlessly. That is to say, the first part will be almost 'as is', followed by a completely new part.
"Some would leave the old film as is. There is some merit in this. However, as some audio work is possible, anybody saying it must be left silent may turn the volume down to zero. I thought about narration by old schoolmasters and ex-pupils (like me) as and when. We would need to take the film to bits, scene by scene and rough script it out, if only for timing."
I don't believe we can leave it entirely alone, or we will end up dubbing a musical soundtrack on, just like the last effort.
"But what to say in the narration? I have not seen the film since 1955. We must decide if the narration is to be as if it is still 1954 or in modern-day terms. I imagine there is a scene of a chemistry lesson. Some ideas:
1) This is a chemistry lesson
2) The boys enjoy their chemistry lesson
3) These three boys are studying chemistry. One reads the instructions, another carries out the experiment another records the results. Mr Graham advises.
"You get the message. It will be very difficult to narrate. Everything will either be blindingly obvious or anachronistic. We would need a narration style (eg Our War correspondent, David Attenborough's Nature programmes or Wogan at the Eurovision Song Contest are all very different styles) and perhaps some script-writers. It could be left silent with the odd comment about differences of today or clarification if necessary. (We do not need shouts of `goal' when the Centre Forward scores)"
This is where I disagree. If we interleave modern day footage (in colour) of interviews with people who were there, describing the activity we are about to see, with the vintage footage, then the discussion can carry on through the vintage footage, and thus make the narration. I can't put this into words quickly, given that I need to get some work done this morning. If I could quote a program name, I would. You all know the sort of thing. We are watching a documentary on the second world war. Major-General Sir John Smithers, now 93, is sitting in front of his fireplace talking about his great victory in 194x. We cut to some vintage film, but we still hear him describing the terrible conditions, etc. The film now has meaning because we have had an introduction, and the description is still continuing.
This will not work for all of our footage, but I see some areas where it could. How many old boys can describe the first swim in April? The boxing classes? I have said this twice before, but here it is again. I feel sure that we could get Stan Smith to do something for us, and possibly Fred Holmes. This is where we need our ace interviewer to get a conversation going, rather than a monologue.
"I don't see any problems with adding popular music of the era, my landlord has an excellent 50s CD. The music could simply fill the gaps between narration and invoke some of the sounds of the day. Otherwise I go along with all you suggest."
It may be a good idea, but would have to be done very carefully. This is where I bow out of the creative side.
"Is it possible in today's technical era to have three or more soundtracks (sort of interactive) on the same DVD/VHS? Gulp!"
DVD authoring is expensive. I don't think the improvement would merit the expenditure.
"Objective? Nostalgia and history? Surely we can do better than this. I think there should be an introduction to what this is all about, who did what, why we did it etc. We should get in a gentle plug about the Old Boy connection. After the film we could augment it with interviews with ex-masters and their young. Perhaps sprinklings of present day staff able to explain what similarities there are today in the old film. Eg We still have playtime (dunno, it is 40 odd years since I saw the film). We of the 50s must remember that the film is of no real interest to those who joined in 1960+ so it should be made appealing in some way to these people."
Agreed. There should be a short intro. rather than banging straight into the film. This would require a complete script and the right person(s). Fortunately, this can run in parallel with our other bits and be tacked on to the beginning.
"Market? Who are we selling this film to? We MUST have somebody associated with marketing out there. I suggest that 25% of the reunion guys will buy provided it is in both VHS and DVD formats. Most would have grandchildren able to operate the video but many would not know what a DVD is."
Personally, my interest is to make a good film, and recoup the expenses. I think Phil Kingham agreed with Mark Morall that the masters would be handed to the school when we had our money back. Others have advised that we really don't want to get into duplication and distribution. Maybe, but we know of the school's performance so far in responding to communications. If we can assist the school financially in this way, then I may be prepared to take on the duplication and distribution role to help give something back. That will have to wait until we see what the demand is like.
"Show clips in July? Maybe."
Definitely. That is our chance to get our money back.
"The
I too, was only kidding about the peep-show.
"Show the whole film at the reunion? Would this sell more? I think not. Someone must be able to help with Product, Price, Place and Promotion. Not sure how you would handle credit cards of OBs overseas, though."
I believe we are in a position to accept many foreign currencies.
"The New Film. This to be an addendum to the old, of course. The most obvious thing is to take the old film to pieces scene by scene and repeat it in today's school adding more as and when. Mr Morral could then use this modern bit to sell the school to prospective
parents."
Yes, he has already thought of that.
"I am willing to drive over to meet whomever to talk it through, this Y! medium may be just a little stilted But whatever, The School Song, to be sung at the reunion in July, MUST be recorded. It may be the last time it will ever be heard. Ken Catton should be encouraged to take up this offer."
Totally agree. I will contact you off-list to make arrangements. (Vince Leatt)
Having previewed "Film 54" may I suggest we start with a 50s classic like Bo Diddley's "I'm A Man", and then a big dose of Johnny Cash's St Quentin And Folsom Prison? I have both the digital remasters. I've re-written St Q song just for us....
"Dear Old Lib you've been livin' hell to me,
You've blistered me since I joined The Liberty,
I've seen 'em and come and go and I've seen 'em die,
And long ago I stopped asking why,
Dear Old Lib I hate every inch of you,
You cut me and you bored me through and through,
And I walked out a wiser stronger man,
Mr Headmaster you can't understand,
Dear Old Lib what good do you think you do?
Did you think that I'd be different when you're through?
Tried to bend my heart and mind and then warp my soul,
Your stone walls turn my blood a little cold,
Dear Old Lib may you rot and burn in hell,
May your walls fall and may I live to tell,
May all the world forget you ever stood,
And may all the world regret you did no good.
Dear Old Lib I hate every inch of you."
Maybe I should take my gitt-arr to to the July Binge??? (Ian MaCauley)
The 12 second clip shows Assembly singing something. Any lip readers among you? I would guess 'Oh Lord, out (ought?) help in ages past'. But the soundtrack could/should be 'Norman, Roman, Saxon, Dane...' (Robert Priddy)
As far as the name of the hymn, there is a close-up of the hymn books. If we can't read the title, the dots are easily distinguished, so we will know what it is. (Vince Leatt)
I recognised many pupils in the ' 54 video (& obviously all the masters, incl. JSS). The funniest scenes are those of the CCF, including march-by and what also looks like a court-martial scene, with Tug Wilson, Nicholson & co. ( Any ex-cadets reading this will probably not agree that these scenes were funny.... (Terry Turner)
…the tracks were from a John Williams album containing movie theme songs (album title unknown) (Colin Sibthorpe)
It might be appropriate to use Mantovani's Swedish Rhapsody as Soundtrack - it was a hit the weeks I was born feb'54 as was The Happy Wanderer by the Obernkirchen Children's Choir. (Ian MacCauley)
Vince wrote: "at the end, the overdubbed music changes
to a rather freaky instrumental version of
1) A hearty rend(er)ing of the school song (preferably by Kings College Choir) with the alternative version too! Could be used as backing for the assembly scenes, hymn singing, the head boy, the memorial window etc. which are at the beginning.
2) some excerpt of some Ralph Holmes' recording... when the orchestra is seen &/or when his father is shown etc.
4) perhaps some Graham Bond (I have the lp 'We put out magick on you') - also with some stills of the Bond bands, record covers etc. perhaps? (Robert Priddy)
1. Why not have some footage of one of you (perhaps sitting in front of your cosy chair in front of a roaring fire) talking about how awful the swimming was 'in my day' and then dissolving into the vintage footage of the swimming in the film while your commentary
continues?
2. Ditto - a few words about the boxing - I saw some practice footage on the CD
3. If there is a maths class, how about overdubbing Stan Smith talking about the finer points of Pythagoras?
4. Didn't someone say they know where 'Fuss' Holmes lives? Could we get anything from him?
5. I'm sure some of the CCF could add some bits. Someone must know what the ceremony is at the end. (Vince Leatt)
The Following excellent running account of the existing
1953/4 film/video is culled from Mike Merry’s spoof
posting about Alf Jones’ grandson etc.
…during the summer holidays of 1952, [Alf Jones] invited Marcel Paulin to Gidea Park where they spent a couple of weeks in a pupil/teacher environment with Marcel happy to pay his keep by teaching my grandfather all about making films. After that there was no stopping him. By the time school returned for the Autumn term of 1952, he had formulated a plan which would make him Alf Jones, the film maker.
The Headmaster at the Royal Liberty at that time was Mr. George Henry Reginald Newth. He said he was a great disciplinarian and ran the school with an iron hand. Shortly after New Years, when Alf suggested making a film about the school however, Reg was all for it and offered the cooperation of the staff and the boys. He did insist that it show only the positive side of things though and at that time he thought it could be shown at Speech Day and other similar events. As far as the commercial side of the enterprise was concerned, Alf would be compensated for all of the expenses and the School would receive any other profits which would be earmarked for the so called Pavilion Fund.
By late January he was ready and with the Headmasters permission and the knowledge of all the Staff Room, the announcement was made during an assembly in the Royal Liberty hall."
The first scene called for the filming of the arrival of the
boys at the school via various means of transportation. Then he filmed the
number eighty-seven bus arriving in
The next scene shows an assembly in the Hall. Dad said the first boy you see is Harris and he was the Deputy Head Boy and then Grubb, the Head Boy.
September to be exact and I think you will find that these two were indeed Head and Deputy Head boy during the fifty-two/fifty-three school year. Marcel Paulin explained how to splice film so it made no difference when it was actually filmed. Hence, throughout the epic, fifty-two/fifty-three items are spliced with fifty-three/fifty-four.
The film was made between January 'fifty-two and September 'fifty-four. It was edited by Alf during the Autumn term at the end of fifty four and actually "released" and seen by the school during the last months of that year.
In the Assembly shots you first see Reg Newth and then John Bell and Sam Peazy appear. John Morley is also visible as is Fred Holmes and Tug Wilson.A boy called Pettit plays the organ.
Harris is seen briefly again as is Grubb who appears to be reading from the Bible. Then the film cuts to Reg's office. Grandad said that some of the teachers suggest he film Reg giving the cane to one or two boys. Apparently punishment of this kind was rampant during those years. The scene actually shows Mr. Newth providing council to a student. The school office is shown and Olive, one of the workers there can be recognized. Mr. Peade, who everyone called Bert, is shown bringing in coal for the fire. This was probably one of the first scenes filmed as a fire indicates it was early in the year.
Mr. Tydeman, who was the "lettered" Manual Arts instructor over Mr. Marshall, another long serving member of staff, is shown at the woodwork shop and Mr. Mold (Oscar) is seen in one of the labs.
John Bell is viewed in his geography room explaining to pupils the world by day and night. Alan Guy, who I hear died later, is seen briefly and then the film cuts to Stan Smith and a remarkable view of his upright desk in Room 1. At this point we discussed Stan and how he was still going strong. Bert Pead appears holding his Hunter watch and getting ready to ring the bell.
The Masters Common Room comes next. The small dining hall is shown next with the queue outside. Those days it was a Tuesday and Thursday for buns. A pupil looking remarkably like David "Tubby" Seddon to me, is shown chewing a bun. An old fashioned water fountain with a domed top to it appears and then we go to the famed spiral staircase in the old Hare Hall. An inserted header reads "Shall I be there one day?" as the boy descending the staircase looks at the pictures of previous first eleven football and cricket teams. Some athletics scenes are shown and the excellent shots of the long jumpers with their hair extended by the slipstream of the jump, show the cameraman to be more than just a weekend amateur.
Again Bert Peade is shown. This time ringing the hand-bell and then a header proclaims "Talking of animals" (I wonder if that was a segue from Bert's last scene) and Old Bob, the school horse, appears. A student is shown sitting by the pond in the Bird Sanctuary and taking a water sample. Then we see students dissecting a frog. Dan Reekie is shown as is Fred Holmes who appears to be teaching pupils pronunciation.
"Brig" Schofield the Gym teacher is shown punching the speed bag and surrounded by a crowd of admiring boys. Harry explained how his grandfather had told him that Mr. Schofield had a very interesting history. I replied that we were fortunate enough to have read of it. The kitchen is shown and the unappetizing meals are seen being served in the hall. Prefects in all their glory direct tables to the serving area at intervals and peace reigns throughout the lunch hour. Mr. Tydeman is shown in the Woodwork room (Tydeman arrived at the school in late '53/54).
Mr. Faithful the Biology Master, answers the Common Room door for a pupil with an injured hand and kindly cleans it and puts on a plaster. (If you'd knocked at the door when the Masters were taking a break you took the risk of a clip round the ear). We then see pupils printing tickets for King Lear (which was performed in March '53) This gives an idea of the time the film covered.
We are then treated to Alf showing his pupils how to play the recorder to some Vivaldi music and then the Library appears. I wonder where all of the artefacts that can be seen hanging on the walls went to? Next comes the CCF and Tug Wilson looking very impressive in his RAF uniform.
Cricket and then the
The film ends as we see the boys politely pushing bicycles and walking out of the gates and, as Dad used to jokingly say, either heading for the Squirrels Head or straight home. Surely, the film is in terrible condition, the sound is bad and many of the participants unrecognizable. This notwithstanding, it's a classic. Raw? Yes. Unsophisticated? By today's standards yes but not by those of forty-five years ago. What we have is the efforts of a simple man to record events for posterity. It's my opinion that he was successful. (Mike Merry)
A Walk Around The School In 1952
Quickly now! Through the gate. You can take your cap off; we're on the school grounds.
Horse? Oh don't worry, that's Old Bob. Pulls the mower and roller and fertilizes the 6th form tennis court during summer.
The high fence on the left? That's the swimming pool. Full of black water this time of year but OK in the spring.
Here we are, turn right through the double doors. All those notices on the right?
Oh that's the football postings, you know, the teams for this weeks games.
The other stuff? Probably information about the various school societies, field trips and such plus notes about dramatics and other events.
That's the assembly hall in front. Turn right again, there, in front of you by the side of the stairs, take a look through the door.
The master with the moustache and the RAF accent, that's Tug Wilson. Plays the violin. They say he was one of the diversions during the Wooden Horse escape during the last war. The way he plays he probably caused the Germans to go deaf! Right now he's the commandant of the Cadet Corps. Yes, they meet on Tuesdays. Uniforms, parades, the whole lot!
Here, turn left down the corridor. That's the Biology lab. The strange looking bloke? That's Faithful, he's a nut about reproduction. What kind? All kinds, you know, frogs, rabbits, people, anything that reproduces!
In there, the sallow faced bloke, that's Wilkerson he
teaches Spanish. He's got a joke about an Englishman that goes into a store in
Have a look in there. See the broad shouldered fellow with the skinny legs. He's got shorts on because he's probably going to ref a football match in a minute. That's Harry Askew. Came in third in the high hurdles in the '48 Olympics. Funny high voice hasn't he. Probably knocked over a hurdle while at full stretch and crushed a goolie!
The loud voice? That's Gaffer Kittle. No doubt he's got both of his!
Take a look through the door in the last room on your right. Big fellow about due for retirement, that's why his gown is falling to bits, he figures he doesn't have to replace it if he's gone at the end of the year.
Turn left here. That's the stage door on your left and the Geography Room on your right.
The curly haired, young looking fellow is Johnny Bell. Good footballer but a bit over anxious if you know what I mean.
The smell? Oh that's just the Chemistry Lab here opposite the quad.
The bald haired fellow in the brown lab coat is Dan Reekie.
Keep going, come round the corner. Down here and turn left.
This is library and on the other side there is the Masters Common Room. Smoke? Coming out from under the door?
Yes I suppose it is. They all smoke like chimneys in there.
This is back door out to the coke pile. Coke pile? Well that's what Bert uses in the boiler.
Bert who? Bert Pead of course! Look, just round the corner is his little abode. He's got the button to the electric bell in there.
The decaying smell? That's just the kitchens round the back.
Not very sanitary but at two and six a week for five dinners what can you expect?
Come back the way we just came from. Turn left through this little archway.
Yes, it is rather impressive isn't it. This was the original entrance to Hare Hall.
The pictures? Lots of them aren't there? These are the Football and Cricket XI's from before the war.
Take a walk up the spiral stairway, they hang all the way around it. Quite a climb isn't it?
That's the school office there and on your left is Scruff's study. Scruff?
That's George Henry Reginald Newth, MA Headmaster. Stay clear of him, take it from me.
Up the other stairs? Ah! That's where Bert Pead lives. No, never been up there myself.
Through the arch, turn right.
The wooden floor? I don't know. Probably from the original structure. There's enough splinters.
The big wooden door? That's room 1. Spook Smith's hideout. Spook? He's the math's teacher.
Take a look in. The desk is one of a kind as you can see. It's a stand up and not a sit down type.
That's Stan "Spook" Smith there. Of course he shaves! He's just got a five o'clock shadow all the time.
Come on, keep going round the corner here.
That the prefects room on the right.
Prefects? They're the 6th formers that wear the little silver badges and are supposed to keep order.
Yes, some of them actually love it!
Some of them want nothing to do with and as far as they're concerned you can do what you like providing it doesn't annoy them.
That classroom? That's Sam Peazy. Does geometry. Yes, he does have rather a squeaky voice doesn't he!
Yes, I suppose he might have been a hurdler but it's not likely!
Take a look through the window there. What do you see? Right! Looks like he's got a severe case of jock itch!
That's Ron Smith - Ron the knacker-racker. Pocket billiards champion of the RLS. Not a bad bloke though, teaches algebra.
You hear a foreign language? That's Foxy Fox the French teacher. He does the Shakespeare productions, King Lear was the last one.
The young bloke in the next room? Alan Guy, ex army and takes no nonsense from anyone!
The stairs on the right go down to the entrance where we came in.
The corner room? Take a look. Is there a small bloke in there with a northern accent? Yes?
That's Ernie Pilling. Ernie's a real tyrant. He's Scruff's deputy headmaster.
If you know Scruff isn't going to be in one day, play the hop.
Ernie loves giving the stick to anyone he finds breaking any rule.
Nice desk in there. Best one in the school for shove-halfpenny football.
The Catholics and Jews go into that room instead of assembly.
The doors over there? Oh, they lead to the balcony over the Assembly Hall.
The organs in there. Organ? Yes, an organ! That's what they play the hymn's on in the morning.
Down the corridor here. Take a look in there on the right, the little bloke in the black suit and the thin hair?
That's Buffalo Brooks. Can be a terror if provoked! Teaches geography.
Sing song voice? Of course! Taffy Thomas in the next room. Teaches Latin of all things.
The next room take a good look. Jake Melnick.
Lives in Ilford and catches the bus from
He's got Coles out the front and has the class laughing. Coles doesn't mind, distracting Jake from teaching is his forte!
Jake? His subject is English and our Jake is aspiring director of plays.
Last room is Jock Pryde. Math's and coaches the swimming team. A cold gent indeed!
The big room here round the corner on the right it the
Down here a bit further is the physics lab.
The fellow with the reddish complexion is Boozer Graham. A bit erratic but not a bad bloke.
That little room with the glass paned door is the sixth form hideout.
Never could figure out what they do in there!
Come on then, back down the spiral staircase. We'll pop out through the main entrance.
Only masters and prefects I'm afraid but we'll take a chance today.
Over there behind the holly hedge, that's the first XI football pitch, over the on the right is High Trees.
High Trees? It's a sort of wood with a pond, probably part of the estate originally.
Those black huts? Oh you know, equipment and cadet stores.
Let's keep going. Yes, horse-chestnut trees. Huge conkers at this time of year.
Here, down behind the brick building. Yes, smells a bit doesn't it. That's the bogs!
Down there on your right is the Woodwork room and the next building is the gym.
The two people walking across from the school? Oh, that's Daddy Schofield in the grey tracksuit. He's the gym teacher.
The other one is Marshall, the woodwork master in the light brown utility coat.
Down there? Those are the bike sheds, I would think about half the pupils here come to school on bikes.
Well, here we are again at the gate.
That's the
Caps on I'm afraid, we're leaving the school grounds. Got to
run now if we want to catch the four oh nine from
Mike Merry 1992
A Walk Around The School in 1955
Oh, hello! Yes, I know who you are. I was told to meet you here and show you around a bit. Don't worry about not having a blazer, as long as you have the tie on there's no problem. Stand over here for a bit. You can take your raincoat off; we'll be going inside soon. It's early for Assembly and we can take a look at a few of the people here so you'll know whose whom so to speak.
The master over there? No, that's not a master that's Huggins. He looks about 30 but actually he's fifteen!
The couple walking towards the door? They're prefects. that's Pallas, the smaller one, he's also the football captain. The other one is Harris, he's the deputy head boy.
Come on, walk towards the door, I've just seen Bert Peade come out with the bell so any minute now there’s likely to be a rush.
Turn left here down by the side of the quad, round the corner and along here is the 5th form cloakroom. I wouldn't leave anything there if I were you, only your raincoat. Things are always being borrowed. Lost my football boots for two days last term!
Come on then, let’s go to the Hall. I'll point out people as we go past.
The fellow with the purple face? That's Cast, he fell off his bike, and landed on is nose about six weeks ago, its still healing up. Pretty horrible sight isn't it.
The little fellow? That's Cliff Pugh, he's older than I am and is in the 5th form.
The group hanging around the door there with the haircuts, that’s Macgregor, Delmonte and Riley. Bit Teddyish but harmless. MacGregor has been whacked more than anyone else in the school I think. He just doesn't like authority.
Come on, up the stairs here. Our lot is in the balcony where the organ is.
Yes. That bloke always smells like a chimney. Smokes like one to, that's Cortney. Parents have a smashing house in Harold Wood, went over there last term one lunchtime. Remind me to tell you about it one day.
The fellow with the funny haircut, Mick Coles. He's talking to Terry Schofield, he's the only bloke from Harold Hill in the school.
The two playing with the tennis ball? Anderson and Botjer. Andy's a very good football player and both him and Botjer are in 5G.
The group over there? Well that's the 5L lot. Davidson with the glasses and blonde hair, John O'Connell, he's a cyclist and shouldn't be here. He's excused assembly as a Catholic but I suppose everyone wants to be here on the first day of term.
The other fellow is Melvyn Wright whose talking to Sims and Smith.
Beginning to fill up a bit now, move over here where we can
see them coming in. That's Harry Cornish with the black slicked down hair and
he's with Alan Jagger, he's
The freckled face boy with the glasses? That's Graham Haverson, gung ho cadet who wants to go into the army after school.
There's another two "G" fellows over there, Pete Nunn, amateur magician and Ron Locke, the blonde one.
The short bandy bloke? That’s Theobald, he runs really fast though!
The two over there are Seddon and Skilton. Yes, Tubby Seddon is a bit fat but he's a very good cricket player. His dad's the Romford FC trainer.
See the big fellow over there with the protruding jaw? That’s Gordon Owen the cross-country runner he's talking to Robinson, another athletic type.
Here, take a look over the balcony. See those two leaning against the wall there? That's Ken Saxby and the black haired fellow with him is "Monty" Norman. The other two that have just come up to speak with them are Ainger and Pudge Smith. Almost half of the 1st IX football team!
A bit further down, the fellow with all the hair, that's Vic Knight, quite a musician. He's talking to Tilbrook, another first IX player.
Next to them is Terry Turner talking to Ralph Holmes, you know, the violin player, very good indeed. His father's a teacher here also.
The boy who keeps flicking his hair back is Ashpole, he's a cyclist. lives in Harold Wood. That’s Chris Gorman next to him. All sixth formers now and headed for University in a couple of years.
See the side door opening? That means the Masters are coming in now.
The little bloke up front with the big chest is Ernie Pilling, he's the Deputy Head.
That's Fox, our Form Master in 5F and behind him is Tug Wilson, you know, the Wooden Horse bloke.
Jake Melnick behind him with the horn rim glasses.
The two talking to each other behind Jake are Brooks, he's the one is the black suit, and the curly haired one is Dinger Bell, they both teach Geography.
The next two are Taffy Thomas and Spook Smith. Spook is the five o’clock shadow one.
The young looking fellow is Don Jennings and besides him,
the old looking man in the brown sports jacket, that's Daddy Schofield.
The next two are Ron Smith, maths and
Then comes Faithful, Biology and Harry Askew, ran in the 1948 games at Wembley.
The bald haired bloke is Reekie, teaches Chemistry and the big fellow with him is Alan Guy.
There's a whole bunch of them coming in now and the then the last two are the smallest of the lot. The red head that's Nick Nicholson and the skinny one is Sam Pezey, teaches math.
See the line on the other side? That's Jackman, the head boy and then the rest of them, Eliott, Marsden, Norton....
Ah! Ernie's just spoken to Jackman, he's a
Jackman is going up on the stage to call for quiet. That means Scruff is on his way.Scruff? that's our esteemed Head Master, G H R Newth. He's come in through that door in a minute and woe upon anyone who isn't completely silent! He'll do his usual thing, then Jackman will make the announcements. It'll be quiet today.
You won't hear about anyone having to wait outside the Head Master's study or anything. Might be a few items about society's and sports but not much more.
Me? Oh I'm excused all this. Catholic you know. You too? OK, Lets go down the corridor here to Room 1, we just sit around here and a prefect will come in and take the roll and make sure we stay fairly quiet until assembly is over. Then I'll take you to the first period. Won't do much today as it's the first day of term but tomorrow, watch out.
Right, you know your way around and I've pointed out most of the characters you will run into.
Don't try to come in through the Hare Hall door and walk across the quad.
Stay out of Bert Peade's way and you'll survive here.
After all, you're in the fifth form and it won't be long before you're out of here for good!
(Mike Merry 2000)